GD206-30

Module Leader Dr Marta Guerriero Dr Martin Lima

Optional core - Second year only

30 CATS

8 lecture hours

40 seminar hours

Pre-requisite modules: Either GD104, GD105, GD106, GD107

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GD208-15 Term 1 GD211-15 Term 2

Option - Second year only

15 CATS

4 lecture hours

20 seminar hours

Principal Aims

• Critically reflect on the UN’s decision to integrate inequalities into the sustainable development agenda (SDG 10: “Reduced inequalities”) and examine the relationship between inequalities and sustainability.
• Analyse how inequalities shape our society, economy and politics, using cross-disciplinary theories and evidence from empirical data and case studies.
• Engage with the most current research on inequalities and examine the perspectives of different disciplines, such as social economics, public policy, area studies, social psychology, political economy and history.

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Principal Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this module, students will be able to:

• Identify and appraise key characteristics of, and recent developments in, inequalities in modern societies, at a local/domestic level as well as in a more global context.
• Critically analyse the current debate around inequalities and socio-economic-environmental sustainability, appreciate the complexities of these problems and recognise the challenges faced by policy makers who aim to resolve them.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of various cross-disciplinary theories and empirical evidence on the determinants of inequalities, its consequences, and people’s attitudes to them.
• Demonstrate an ability to undertake research on issues relating to inequalities.

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Syllabus

Term 1

Week 1-2: Does Inequality Matter? Justice, Happiness and Efficiency

Week 3-5: Inequalities at Work: Professional Discrimination

Week 6-8: Does Inequality Threaten “Democracy”?

Week 9-10: Inequality and Environmental Justice

Term 2

Week 1-3: Discrimination and Society: Age, Health and Disability

Week 4-5: Automation, Globalisation and Inequality

Week 6-8: Inequality, Opportunities and Empowerment

Week 9-10: Towards More Sustainable Societies: What Are the Solutions?

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Assessment for 30 CATs module

Practical	1 x in-person "Conference" (10 minute presentation + 5 minute discussant) (20%)
Coursework	1 x Portfolio of Critical Responses consisting of four entries of 500 words each (30%); 1 x 4,000 word Research Paper (50%)

Assessment for 15 CATs module (Term 1 or Term 2)

Coursework

1 x Portfolio of Critical Responses consisting of three entries of 500 words each (50%); 1 x 2,000 word Essay (50%)

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  Please note: Module availability and staffing may change year on year depending on availability and other operational factors. The School for Cross-faculty Studies makes no guarantee that any modules will be offered in a particular year, or that they will necessarily be taught by the staff listed on this page.